My mom was very lucky to be admitted to a comprehensive care National Cancer Institute-endorsed cancer center. Not only does that center treat cancer, but the staff there also studies other things — such as the mental health of cancer patients.

During the early months of her treatment, my mom was invited to participate in a stress study that monitored the psychological effects of cancer treatment. One of the core elements this psychiatric study focused on was guided imagery.

The study’s leading clinician believed that using guided imagery during treatments could reduce stress and eliminate a lot of the anxiety that often accompanies things like MRIs, CT scans, chemotherapy treatments, and the general worry associated with having cancer.

My mom found the guided imagery helped reduce her anxiety as she focused on more relaxing things, like:

Imagining she was on a beach

Dreaming about driving in a convertible car on a pleasant day

Thinking about other things that helped take her mind off her medical concerns

All of these guided imagery techniques were accompanied by closing the eyes and taking deep, prolonged breaths.

Whatever relaxation technique you choose, you’ll be able to decrease the effects of stress on your mind and body, while awaiting the results of your CT scan.

#3 – Focus on doing positive things.

You may feel helpless — especially if you have a medical condition that makes you feel incredibly tired, limits your mobility, or otherwise makes life more difficult.

And waiting for the results of your CT scan doesn’t make things any easier.

But, if you think about doing meaningful activities that help take your mind off your worries, you may feel better in the long run.

Find ways to get better sleep, try exercising, or do something else that improves your health.

Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy the activity and will feel better after accomplishing your goals.

#4 – Try positive self-talk.

You can be your own cheerleader, and you can do this by telling yourself positive things.

To make this work though, you’ve got to believe what you’re saying to yourself.

Self affirmations need to be built on the things you think may be going right — such as being on a treatment regimen that seems to be working, or switching to a new one that looks promising.

Even if you’re worried because you’re not feeling very well (feeling more tired, have a new pain, etc.), what’s to say those aren’t simply side effects of your treatment?

Or, maybe you aren’t feeling so hot because you overdid it one day while exercising, or changed something about your daily routine?

Your CT scan may show that things are getting better, or that your health status is being properly maintained.

#5 – Focus on what’s happening right now.

I think everyone is focused on tomorrow, next week, next year.

I know that for those who are fighting something like cancer, the thoughts of the future are sometimes either filled with hope or ridden with doubt.

No matter what any of us are facing in life, all we really have is today. We need to enjoy the gift of this moment.

How can you make today awesome?

Focus on making the moments you have right now as great as they can be!

If you put your energy into the now, you won’t have much time to give to things such as facing anxiety over CT scans, worrying about medical bills, or making all those plans for your No Evidence of Disease (NED) celebration party.

I'm a roller coaster junkie, a weather enthusiast, a frequent traveler, and a numismatist. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I'm a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG). I've also been studying meteorology and watching weather patterns for years. I enjoy sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about coins, weather, travel, health, food, and living green... on a budget.

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